Double-double the fun for BU women

Three Bradley players had double-doubles to lead the women’s basketball team to an 81-65 victory over Air Force on Sunday at Richwoods High School.

Jenny Van Kirk and Skye Johnson each had their first career double-doubles, while Sonya Harris was the third Brave with a double-double, a rarity.

The Braves ended the nonconference portion of their schedule at 9-2.

DON BAKER

Three Bradley players had double-doubles to lead the women’s basketball team to an 81-65 victory over Air Force on Sunday at Richwoods High School.

Jenny Van Kirk and Skye Johnson each had their first career double-doubles, while Sonya Harris was the third Brave with a double-double, a rarity.

The Braves ended the nonconference portion of their schedule at 9-2.

Van Kirk, a junior, finished with a season-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. Johnson, a junior, had 15 points and 10 assists. Harris, a sophomore, had 16 points and 10 rebounds. She was 7 of 9 from the field.

Bradley made five of its first six shots for a 12-4 lead but the Falcons (3-8) scored 11 consecutive points, all by Brooke Cultra, who finished with 23 points.

Bradley regained a lasting lead at 23-22. Bradley shot 48.6 percent from the field.

“We shot well other than our one cold spurt,” Bradley coach Paula Buscher said. “We had the resiliency to bounce back out of our cold spell and keep going.

“But I really feel it was our defense that won it. We created a lot of things and gave ourselves a lot of opportunities.”

Van Kirk had made her first 15 free throws this season, including her first five Sunday before missing one, finishing 7 of 8 from the line.

“After our general penetration, my teammates had some great drives and collapsed on defense and I just found myself open,” Van Kirk said, “so it’s a credit to my teammates for their ability to find me and get me the passes.”

Michelle Lund had 14 points, including three treys in a row late in the game.